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Tuesday, September 24, 2002

WHITEHALL: Sign seeks info on killing

A billboard campaign soliciting tips about unsolved murders in Allegheny County has extended its reach to Youngstown, Ohio, where a sister billboard was erected Friday.

The new billboard seeks information about the slaying of 18-year-old Nick Paolone, a Brentwood High School graduate who was shot to death in Youngstown on May 10, 1997.

Mothers of murdered children arranged the campaign in Allegheny County through Lamar Advertising, which donated $35,000 worth of advertising space.

Paolone's mother, Kathy Perla, 45, of Whitehall, said she spoke to Lamar's general manager, Stan Geier, during the campaign's unveiling last month to see if another billboard could be put up in Youngstown near the murder scene. Lamar agreed to help.

"I'm thinking now we have both areas covered," Perla said. "I'm real hopeful that maybe something will come from this."

The billboard, which will stay up for 30 days, has a picture of Paolone and asks anyone with information to call the Pittsburgh Police Bureau's Dignitary and Witness Protection Unit. A $1,000 reward is offered.

Sgt. Lavonnie Bickerstaff of the unit said the campaign in Allegheny County has so far generated about 10 telephone tips. She declined to say whether any of the tips have proven helpful in solving the 19 murders advertised on the billboards.

PETERS: 5 charged in vandalism

Peters police have charged five people with spraying graffiti on buildings, causing about $13,000 in damage.

Ted Magao, Andrew Haritan and Brandon Kelly, all 19, of Peters, were charged with criminal mischief. Two 17-year-olds also were charged but not identified by police because they are juveniles.

Among the businesses damaged were Valley Brook Business Center and Angelo's Self Storage on Valley Brook Road and La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery, Sears Service Center and Enhancement Center on Route 19. The vandalism occurred from May to July, police said.

Charges against the 17-year-olds were filed in Washington County juvenile court. Charges against Magao, Haritan and Kelly were filed with a district justice in Peters.